Snappity Snap
Taking a break from my blog break :-) to share some quick snaps from my week:
1) Plush-artist Dawn (of Look What I Can Do) and I arranged a swap months ago. She is a plush maker I have admired for a looooong time so I jumped at the chance to do a trade. We recently posted our packages off. I sent her this and I received her parcel the other day . . . and almost wept like a baby out of pure delight! Gorgeous bird softie – LOVE! And . . . fabric G-A-L-O-R-E amongst other wonderful crafty things!!! Too, too, too generous and kind – thanks so much Dawn!!!
2) Giant dolls are pretty much done – just got to sew up their aprons with the malls’ logo on them and their accompanying softies. I’m still trying to figure out how to get them to stand properly so I can take some good photos.
I won’t lie to you – these two were a pain to make. Lots of mistakes and lots of accidentally stabbing my fingers with needles due to hand-sewing lots of bits and pieces. I also used up a couple metres of interfacing and had to insert thick board in various places (e.g. legs and necks) for some added support. My hands ached from all the stuffing. I am relieved they are done and given the time and effort put in, I am happy with the way they have turned out :-) But I don’t think I would choose to do this again!
Closer look at Woodland Girl Jin (who really refuses to stand upright):
And Woodland Girl Mee:
3) Larger doll-head brooches/corsages are done (to be worn by some of the mall’s management while I am there. Construction based on this fun tutorial). They measure about 10cm x 10cm (4 inches x 4 inches):
4) Surprised and delighted to see Woodland Doll Nikki in the recent issue of Small Magazine :-)
5) So very, very excited to be taking more snappity snaps with my early Christmas gift – a Holga 135BC. It has been on my wish-list for a few months and is on its way as I type – hope it reaches me before we leave for Hong Kong. (They are usually black in colour but since practically every accessory I have is black, I thought a white one would be nice :-)).
I have read many forums on taking photos with the Holga and am expecting a lot of flops in the first instance – I understand the camera can be temperamental and it is very much a process of trial and error. But I am very keen to learn – especially when I look at some of my favourite Holga shots from Flickr:
Credits:
1. all the fun of holga, 2. xmas kitty, 3. tiptoe among the tulips, 4. A gorgeous tea – time
Angela recently purchased a Diana F+ and I can’t wait to see how her pics turn out. I remember having a Diana camera when I was kid (received as a birthday gift) and I wish I had held on to it!
Okey dokes, that’s all from me for now. More softies to make and doll-head kits to package up! Hope you are all having a most delightful weekend :-)
November 30th, 2008 at 6:20 am
I can imagine these huge dolls being a MONSTER project. I really admire you, they look so professionall. And the brooches are gorgeous too. Because I did not expect a new topic on your blog, I was pleasantly surprised to see so many new pictures. Don’t new fabrics make you feel like a child with a new color box? I allways do! By the way: you are on my blog because I finally received the Handmade Magazine with your Babuska Beauty. I’m so very pleased with it. Greetings from the Netherlands, Hannie
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November 30th, 2008 at 7:04 am
you totally rock!!
dawn totally rocks too!!
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November 30th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Congratulations on getting your giant dolls finished they look fantastic! I love the brooches as well, I think they look so cheerful. I like how the sprig of holly adds that Christmassy touch but without it they could be used all year round.
Have lots of fun with your new stash and camera :)
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November 30th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Yipppeeeee!!! Congratulations on the new Holga : )
I can’t wait to see your photos!! I’m getting excited about my first photo shoot today however I haven’t done much reading up about the techniques so hopefully some will turn out.
I LOVE your giant woodland girls too!
Angela x
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November 30th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Congrats on finishing your giant dolls! I really don’t know how you got through all the stuffing, that’s the part I really don’t like about making plush things. You stuff and stuff but still it needs more! Anyway, it looks like in your case it was well worth it, they look great!
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November 30th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Your giant girls are fabulous! Well done!
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November 30th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Oh I would love to have one of those doll-head brooches/corsages !!!!!!!!!!!! They are so cute.
Janie
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November 30th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Oh….you are SOOOOOO much better than me. I still have yet to blog. I have been blog absent for awhile now. I am just sooooo tired and busy. I am sooooo happy you like the package and bird. I LOVED OUR PACKAGE and I swear it will be properly blogged about this week. I just have so much going on in my life I can barely keep up. I LOVE the life sized dolls. You are truly amazing and oh so talented. Thanks soooooo much. xoxoxoxoox
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November 30th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I LOVE your corsages! I will LINK to your blog on December 7th for Show and Tell Corsage Day! WOW! They are wonderful!~~~XXOO, Beth
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December 1st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Wow, what a wonderful package! Your dolls are adorable!! You are very talented. I just received an early camera Christmas present too. I can’t wait to play with it. Keep up the fab work!
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December 1st, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Those brooches are super sweet!
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December 2nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
your super sized dolls are …..super!! love the look and the dresses. very nice. i think sometimes we have to sacrifice ourselves- or our fingers- for the greater good. Well done!!! :)
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December 2nd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Those dolls are just awesome!!!
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December 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
your doll ornaments are sooo cute jhoanna!
actually, everything you make is too too cute :)
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January 8th, 2009 at 7:25 am
That camera looks really fun! Thank you for sharing and inspiring.
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